FRIDAY, APRIL 11
Interval: Brasstastic, Krannert Lobby, 12 p.m., Free
Catch a little mid afternoon brass music. This New Orleans blend of jazz will surely put the pep in your stepto start the weekend. The event will last about one hour. (AB)
ABCU opening reception, Indi Go Artist Co-op, 6-10 p.m.
This event is just another part of the glorious Boneyard Arts Festival. As typography exhibits go, this one is probably the best in town. “ABCU was created with the sentiment that artwork should be affordable and attainable.” With that in mind, all artwork will be for sale at a reasonable price, with all proceeds going to Champaign-Urbana Design Organization. (KP)
Skeletal Lightning Fest, Error Records & Urbana-Champaign IMC, 6:40 p.m. start time on Friday, 11 a.m. on Saturday & Sunday, price varies
Midwest DIY heroes will be coming through town for this year’s installment of Skeletal Lightning Fest around C-U this weekend. Although Friday night is sold out (headliner is Weekend Nachos), you can still grab tickets at the door (the online sale is now, well, offline) to Saturday and Sunday, which features stellar acts Circle Takes the Square, Tenement, Tiny Moving Parts, amongst many others, nationals and locals alike. Check out the whole lineup and the schedule at the SLF site for all the goods. (PS)
Turn It UP!, Guido’s Bar & Grill , 7 p.m., $10
The UP Center is hosting its 5th annual Turn It UP! fundraiser show at Guido’s Bar & Grill. See drag, spoken word, singing, comedy, and more! Please contact Tom Miebach at tom@unitingpride.org for questions. (KP)
O Beautiful, Krannert Center, 7:30 p.m.
To paraphrase Krannert’s synopsis: Pulitzer Prize finalist Theresa Rebeck is sure to stir discussion with O Beautiful, a drama that views our polarized age through the lives and challenges — including bullying, date rape, abortion, and the debate over gun rights — of a few American teenagers and their families. Historical figures from Jesus to John Adams present themselves to add to the work’s complex questions — and sometimes to offer controversial answers The pay, directed by Gina Rattan and featuring an energetic young cast, runs Friday and Saturday nights, with a final Sunday matinee April 13 at 3 p.m. (MG)
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Station Theatre, 8 p.m.
Christopher Durang’s witty spin on the works of Chekhov (really, it’s funny!) continues its fantastic (and successful) run at Urbana’s Station Theatre. Gary Ambler heads the cast, along with Lindsey Gates-Markel, Barbara Ridenour, Maxwell Tomaszewski, Shawna Smith, and Jackie Loewenstein, all under the direction of Station Artistic Director Rick Orr. The show is selling tickets fast and furious, but even if the show is sold out, there is always the chance that you can get on the Wait List. To do so, show up at the Station on a show night, give your name to the box office attendant (usually box office opens at 7 p.m.), and hang around. At 7:50 p.m., any unclaimed reservations will be released to those waiting. It’s sure to be packed, so plan ahead. (And no, you can’t get on the Wait List over the phone, so don’t even try.) (MG)
Tractor Kings, The 92s, Carbon Tigers, Fauve, Cowboy Monkey, 9:30 p.m., $7
If DIY/punk isn’t your go-to music scene, there’s another really good bill that has been put together over at Cowboy Monkey on Friday night. C-U mainstays Tractor Kings are headlining, and they’re joined by three other really solid bands. The 92s put out a new record earlier this year, too, which you should probably put in your ears at some point (especially if this show appeals to you). (PS)
SATURDAY, APRIL 12
C.O.P.E.: A One-Man Show, 311 S Neil Street, Champaign, 1 p.m., free
C.O.P.E. is a one-man show written and performed by Jeffrey Denight, who is a member of The Celebration Company at the Station Theatre. “Years after his own traumatic experience at bereavement camp, Jeremy returns to camp, this time as a counselor with warning for his campers. Through personal anecdotes and horror movies trivia, Jeremy confronts the monsters of his past while preparing his campers for horrors…lurking in the forests of our future.”
The length of this piece is one hour. It contains themes not suitable for all audiences. If you can’t make it to this weekend’s performance, there will be an encore at Error Records next Friday at 8 p.m. Next weekend’s show is $2. (KP)
Second Saturday Board Games, Urbana Free Library, 210 W. Green, 2-5 p.m., free
Join the Urbana Free Library for this monthly drop-in program for all ages. Choose a game to play from the library’s collection of board games for adults and families. They have some old classics like Go and Backgammon, as well as new favorites like deck-building Dominion and treasure-hunting Tobago. They’ll have staff and volunteers standing by to lead demonstrations of how to play. Grab a beverage at the cafe and spend an enjoyable afternoon playing games with friends at the library. (RP)
Tour, JT Walker’s Brewery, 401 E. Main Street, Mahomet, 2:30-3:30 p.m., free plus cost of beer
I was impressed by the beer I had last Sunday at JT Walker’s Brewery. My favorite was the Nine Gals, a ginger saison, pictured here. Swing by the brewery for a tour (free, first-come first-served, maximum 20 people), and have a nice glass of cold beer on a lovely Saturday afternoon. (JH)
AcX: Acapella Extravaganza, Lincoln Hall Theatre, 7 p.m. $7-$10
The is one of the most anticipated a capella events every year. This year the event also celebrates the 10th anniversary of the nationally ranked group No Comment A Cappella. There will be a chance to participate in raffles and win prizes like free tickets to Krannert. The event also features performances by Chai-Town and Beyond All Reason from Saint Louis University. (AB)
Magic and Other Nonsense, Fluid Events Center, 601 N. Country Fair Drive, champaign, 7:30-10:30 p.m., $12 in advance/$15 at the door
Cats don’t dig magic, but you might. If so, bring the whole family to this fun filled night of magic, ventriloquism, and high energy acts by Markus Clegg and guests. Tickets are available at Exile on Main St. in downtown Champaign and at Fluid Event Center. (RP)
Pygmalion Afterglow: Bones Jugs and Harmony, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 10:30 p.m., Free
Local quirky folk band, Bones Jugs and Harmony, will be playing a show at Krannert. Perfomance should last about an hour. Nothing’s better than free fun and tunes. (JK)
SUNDAY, APRIL 13
Pandamonium Doughnuts pop-up (again), Cream & Flutter, 114 N Walnut Street, Champaign, 10 a.m.-sold out, prices vary.
More doughnuts. Another pop-up, this time in Champaign. I think, by now, you know the drill. (JH)
New Art Film Festival, Art Theater Co-op, 5 p.m.-Midnight, ??
For its fifth year, the New Art Film Festival, in association with the Boneyard Arts Festival, will be showing local and independent short films and documentaries at the Art throughout the night. Come check out what area filmmakers are making these days. (JK)
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